System, information processing apparatus, and control method of the same

ABSTRACT

A system for performing color validation by comparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference, the system including a first information processing apparatus, wherein the first information processing apparatus includes a colorimetric setting for performing color validation by comparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference, a transmission unit configured to transmit screen information of a screen for receiving a chart printing instruction, a receiving unit configured to receive the colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction, and a generation unit configured to generate print data of a chart based on the colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure generally relates to a technique for performingvalidation of the color quality of a printed material.

Description of the Related Art

In the commercial printing field, there have been recently growingimportance of and a demand for a color validation process ofperiodically validating the color quality of an image forming apparatus.This is because, if a print output result fails to meet expectationsfrom an outsourcer strict about color and a job is rejected, costincreases and a profit declines.

The color validation process includes steps such as settings related tocolor measurement and printing in color validation, printing of a chartincluding a plurality of color patches, color measurement of the chart,color validation executed by comparison between a color measurementresult and a color reference, and the confirmation of a color validationresult (for example, refer to Japanese Patent No. 6422923).

In some cases, color measurement in color validation and a print settinginstruction are performed via an application or a web browser, and achart printing instruction is performed via a printer driver.

In this case, in a series of operations related to color validation, forexample, the user needs to switch an application to be used, which isunfriendly for users and is to be solved.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure aims to enhance the convenience of the user in aseries of operations related to color validation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system forperforming color validation by comparing a color measurement result of achart and a color reference, the system including a first informationprocessing apparatus, wherein the first information processing apparatusincludes a colorimetric setting for performing color validation bycomparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference, atransmission unit configured to transmit screen information of a screenfor receiving a chart printing instruction, a receiving unit configuredto receive the colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction,and a generation unit configured to generate print data of a chart basedon the colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction.

Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire color validation systemaccording to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information processingapparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the color validation systemaccording to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B each illustrate an example of a web page according tothe first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a settingscreen according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are schematic diagrams each illustrating an example of acolor measurement screen according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams each illustrating an example of acolor validation screen according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting according to thefirst exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B each illustrate an example of chart data according tothe first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a print setting according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are flowcharts illustrating chart printingprocessing according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a chart color measurement requestaccording to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C illustrate an example of a patch colormeasurement request and a patch color measurement result according tothe first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a color measurement result accordingto the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processingaccording to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating color validation processingaccording to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processingaccording to a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating color measurement processingaccording to a third exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate an example of a printing instruction and acolor validation instruction according to the first exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a patch layout according to the firstexemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings.

The following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit thedisclosure set forth in the appended claims, and not all thecombinations of the features described in the exemplary embodiments arealways essential to the solution of the disclosure.

A first exemplary embodiment will be described. The features of thepresent disclosure will be described by sequentially describing, usingspecific examples, a configuration of a color validation system forimplementing a color validation process, printing of a chart, colormeasurement of a chart, and color validation. The configuration of thecolor validation system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to7A and 7B.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a color validation systemaccording to the present exemplary embodiment. The color validationsystem is broadly divided into a web system 101 and a printing businessoperator system 103. The web system 101 and the printing businessoperator system 103 are connected to each other via an internet 100. Theweb system 101 may be constructed on a cloud, or may be constructed on acompany's own server.

Hereinafter, an internal configuration of the printing business operatorsystem 103 will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , aninformation processing apparatus 104 and an image forming apparatus 106are connected to each other via a network 105. A color measurementdevice 107 is connected to these apparatuses via a serial bus 108. Theimage forming apparatus 106 is controlled under programs operating onthe information processing apparatus 104, and generates a product byprocessing a print setting and print data that have been received fromthe web system 101.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an informationprocessing apparatus (102, 104). In FIG. 2 , a central processing unit(CPU) 201 includes one or more processors, circuitry, or combinationsthereof, and executes a program of an operating system (OS) or ageneral-purpose application that is stored in a program read-only memory(ROM) of a ROM 203, or loaded from a hard disk drive (HDD) 210 onto arandom access memory (RAM) 202. The ROM 203 includes a font ROM and adata ROM. The RAM 202 functions as a main memory and a work area of theCPU 201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls entry from a keyboard(KB) 208 and a pointing device (not illustrated). A display controller(CRTC) 206 controls display onto a display unit (CRT) 209. A disccontroller (DKC) 207 controls access to the HDD 210 storing bootprograms, various applications, and font data. As used herein, the term“unit” generally refers to software, firmware, hardware, circuitry, orcombinations thereof that is used to effectuate a purpose.

A network controller (NIC) 212 is connected to a network, and executescontrol processing of communication with another device connected to thenetwork. A bus 204 connects the CPU 201, the RAM 202, the ROM 203, andvarious controllers, and conveys data signals and control signals.

In a case where the information processing apparatus (102, 104) is amobile phone, a touch panel controller may be sometimes included inplace of the KBC 205. In some cases, a large-capacity storage device isalso included in place of the HDD 210. Furthermore, the NIC 212 has aninternal configuration varying between a case where the informationprocessing apparatus (102, 104) is connected to a wired local areanetwork (LAN), a case where the information processing apparatus (102,104) is connected to a wireless LAN, and a case where the informationprocessing apparatus (102, 104) is connected to both of a wired LAN anda wireless LAN. Nevertheless, such a difference in internalconfiguration is hidden inside the NIC 212, and the informationprocessing apparatus (102, 104) is enabled to control the systemassuming that other modules illustrated in FIG. 2 are equivalent in anycase.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating functional blocksincluded in the web system 101 and the printing business operator system103 included in the color validation system according to the presentexemplary embodiment.

First of all, functional blocks included in the information processingapparatus 104 of the printing business operator system 103 will bedescribed. A web browser 300 acquires content (screen information) bycommunicating with a web server 310. Then, the web browser 300 construesthe acquired content and performs format and display (web page 302). Theweb browser 300 can also execute a programming language such asJavaScript.

An on-premise application 301 is an application having a role of a proxythat relays access between the web system 101, the image formingapparatus 106, the color measurement device 107, and the web browser300. For example, when a chart is to be printed, the web system 101prints a chart using the image forming apparatus 106 via the on-premiseapplication 301.

In addition, when color measurement of the printed chart is performed,the color measurement device 107 is controlled via the on-premiseapplication 301. When a chart is to be printed, the web system 101 maydirectly transmit print data of the chart and a print setting to theimage forming apparatus 106 not via the on-premise application 301.Whether to use the on-premise application 301 is determined by aprinting business operator depending on whether an image formingapparatus is to be connected to an external network. Any connectionconfiguration may be employed in the present disclosure.

The web page 302 is content acquired by the web browser 300 from the webserver 310, and is displayed on the web browser 300. While the web page302 includes single piece of content as illustrated in FIG. 4A in somecases, guest content 400 is displayed in a nested structure asillustrated in FIG. 4B in other case.

A web component 303 is a program associated with the web page 302, andis executed on the web browser 300. In the present exemplary embodiment,JavaScript is assumed as the web component 303, but the web component303 can be another program operating on the web browser 300. Forexample, the web component 303 may be an applet, Active X, or plug-in ofthe web browser 300.

If the web browser 300 displays the web page 302 (for example, a chartcolor measurement screen to be described below with reference to FIG.6C), the web component 303 accesses the color measurement control unit304 and establishes communication. After that, the web component 303transmits an instruction to the color measurement control unit 304 inaccordance with a user operation performed on the web page 302, andcontrols the color measurement device 107 in accordance with the useroperation. The web component 303 also receives a response of the colormeasurement device 107 to the instruction from the color measurementcontrol unit 304, and reflects the response in the web page 302.

In the present exemplary embodiment, WebSocket is used as a method ofcommunication between the web component 303 and the color measurementcontrol unit 304. Thus, the web component 303 and the color measurementcontrol unit 304 can constantly maintain connection via a specific port.With this configuration, it is possible to convey the entry made by auser operation, to the color measurement device 107 in real time, andfurther reflect a response of the color measurement device 107 in theweb page 302 in real time.

The color measurement control unit 304 receives an instruction from theweb component 303, and controls the color measurement device 107 via acolor measurement device cooperation unit 306. If the color measurementdevice 107 has read a patch, the color measurement control unit 304transmits the reading result to the web component 303. If the reading ofall patches included in the chart is completed, the color measurementcontrol unit 304 stores the reading result into a color measurementresult storage unit 309. Furthermore, if the color measurement controlunit 304 receives a color measurement completion instruction from theweb component 303, the color measurement control unit 304 acquires acolor measurement result matching an identification (ID) included in thecolor measurement completion instruction, from the color measurementresult storage unit 309, and transmits the acquired color measurementresult to the web server 310 via a color measurement communication unit305.

The color measurement communication unit 305 performs communicationbetween the color measurement control unit 304 and the web server 310.If the color measurement communication unit 305 receives a colormeasurement result from the color measurement control unit 304, thecolor measurement communication unit 305 starts communication with theweb server 310, and transmits the color measurement result to the webserver 310. Although a communication method is not specified, aHyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) communication is used in the presentexemplary embodiment. This is because there is no need to constantlyconnect the web server 310 and the on-premise application 301 in realtime.

The color measurement device cooperation unit 306 is an interface to thecolor measurement device 107, and mediates communication between thecolor measurement control unit 304 and the color measurement device 107.

A printing communication unit 307 performs communication between aprinting control unit 308 and the web server 310. When a printinginstruction is issued by the user, the printing communication unit 307receives a print job including a print setting and print data, from theweb server 310, and further receives an internet protocol (IP) addressof a transmission destination image forming apparatus, and delivers theIP address to the printing control unit 308.

If the printing control unit 308 receives a print job from the printingcommunication unit 307, the printing control unit 308 transmits theprint job to the image forming apparatus 106 indicated by the IPaddress. In the present exemplary embodiment, HTTP communication isassumed as a transmission method of a print job. Nevertheless, anotherprinting transmission method such as Hot Folder may be used because itis sufficient that a print job can be transmitted to the image formingapparatus 106.

The color measurement result storage unit 309 is a location into whichthe color measurement control unit 304 stores a color measurement resultof a chart when the color measurement of the chart is completed. Thecolor measurement result storage unit 309 may be stored into an HDD ofthe information processing apparatus 104 as a file, or may be tabulardatabase as shown below, for example.

TABLE 1 Color Measurement Result Storage Unit 309 Test ID Measurementresults 000001 000001.cgat 000002 . . .

The functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus104 have been described above.

Next, functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus102 of the web system 101 will be described. The web server 310 is aservice program that performs HTTP communication with the web browser300 and provides the display of a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) andan object (image, etc.) to the web browser 300. The web server 310 alsoperforms HTTP communication with the printing communication unit 307,and transmits a print job to the on-premise application 301.Furthermore, the web server 310 performs HTTP communication with thecolor measurement communication unit 305, and receives a colormeasurement result of a chart from the color measurement control unit304.

A color validation management unit 311 is a functional block forcontrolling each piece of processing of a color validation process.

Based on a user instruction entered on the web page 302, the colorvalidation management unit 311 executes processing including printing ofa chart, color measurement, up to color validation. The color validationmanagement unit 311 also causes the web server 310 to performtransmission processing of a print job, and stores a color measurementresult received by the web server 310 into the color measurement resultstorage unit 309.

A colorimetric setting storage unit 312 is a location into which acolorimetric setting entered by the user is stored. If the user enters acolorimetric setting and issues a save instruction on the web page 302(setting screen in FIG. 5 ), the web component 303 delivers thecolorimetric setting to the web server 310 via the web browser 300. FIG.8 illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting 800 (to be describedbelow). Then, the web server 310 delivers the colorimetric setting 800to the color validation management unit 311. The color validationmanagement unit 311 that has received the colorimetric setting 800stores the received colorimetric setting 800 into the colorimetricsetting storage unit 312.

The colorimetric setting 800 stored in the colorimetric setting storageunit 312 is used in a color validation system for various purposes. Aconventional printing system is configured to prompt a user to enter aprint setting, and upload print data to a web server. In the presentdisclosure, the user enters the colorimetric setting 800, and a printsetting and print data are generated based on the colorimetric setting800. Furthermore, the colorimetric setting 800 is also used as adetermination reference of a color measurement result in colorvalidation.

Furthermore, the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 stores a colormeasurement result transmitted from the on-premise application 301 inassociation with a colorimetric setting having the same identifier. FIG.14 illustrates an example of a color measurement result (to be describedbelow). Then, based on the identifier, the colorimetric setting storageunit 312 stores a color measurement result 1400 for a color validationprocessing unit 314, in association with the colorimetric setting 800.

For example, based on an identifier (Test ID) “000001”, the colorimetricsetting 800 and the color measurement result 1400 are associated asshown in Table 2 provided below.

TABLE 2 Colorimetric setting Storage Unit 312 Test ID Test settingsMeasurement results Validation result 000001 000001.json 000001.cgatPassed 000002 000002json . . . . . .• 000003 000003.json 000003.cgatFailed

A print job generation unit 313 includes a function of generating aprint setting and print data. Specifically, a printing instruction(press of a print button 504) is issued by the user on the web page 302(setting screen in FIG. 5 ). If the printing instruction is issued, theweb component 303 transmits the printing instruction to the web server310 via the web browser 300. A printing instruction 1900 illustrated inFIG. 19A is an example of a printing instruction, and the printinginstruction includes a command (“print—request”) and an identifier(“test—id”). If the web server 310 delivers the printing instruction1900 to the color validation management unit 311, the color validationmanagement unit 311 acquires the colorimetric setting 800 from the colormeasurement result storage unit 309 based on the identifier (000001)designated in the printing instruction.

The color validation management unit 311 delivers the acquiredcolorimetric setting 800 to the print job generation unit 313. The printjob generation unit 313 generate a print job including a print settingof a chart and print data that satisfies the colorimetric setting 800.Print data of charts 900 and 905 illustrated in FIG. 9A are examples ofprint data, and a print setting 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 is anexample of a print setting.

In the generation of the print setting 1000, for example, as shown inTable 3 provided below, the print setting storage unit 315 preliminarilyassociates a color reference and a print parameter. Based on a colorreference (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) of the colorimetric setting 800, the printjob generation unit 313 acquires related print parameters from the printsetting storage unit 315, and generates the print setting 1000.

TABLE 3 Print Setting Storage Unit 315 Test Media Orien- specificationDimension Side tation OutputBin Weight FOGRA xxxx- 210 297 One Rotate0AutoSelect 100 yyyy sided GRACOL bbbb- 210 297 Two Rotate90 Autoselect80 cccc sided Japan Color ffff- 210 297 One Rotate180 Autoselect 90 gggsided

Then, the print job generation unit 313 returns the generated print jobto the color validation management unit 311. After that, the colorvalidation management unit 311 transmits the print job to the on-premiseapplication 301 via the web server 310.

The color validation processing unit 314 performs pass or failuredetermination with respect to a designated color reference, by comparinga color measurement result obtained by reading a printed chart, with acolor reference of a printing industry or a color reference uniquelydefined by a printing firm.

Specifically, when a color measurement completion button is pressed bythe user on the web page 302, the web component 303 transmits a colormeasurement result transmission instruction to the color measurementcontrol unit 304 to transmit the color measurement result 1400. FIG. 19Billustrates an example of the color measurement result transmissioninstruction, and the instruction includes a command“measurement—upload—request” and an identifier “test—id”. The colormeasurement control unit 304 that has received the instruction acquiresthe color measurement result 1400 stored in the color measurement resultstorage unit 309, based on an identifier (000001) included in theinstruction, and transmits the color measurement result 1400 to the webserver 310 via the color measurement communication unit 305. After thecolor validation management unit 311 stores the color measurement result1400 into the colorimetric setting storage unit 312, the colorvalidation management unit 311 acquires the colorimetric setting 800related to the color measurement result 1400, from the colorimetricsetting storage unit 312, and delivers the colorimetric setting 800 tothe color validation processing unit 314. The color validationprocessing unit 314 executes color validation based on the colorimetricsetting 800 and the color measurement result 1400, and returns theobtained determination result to the color validation management unit311. Then, the color validation management unit 311 stores thedetermination result into the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a setting screen of the web page 302 tobe displayed on the web browser 300. The setting screen illustrated inFIG. 5 is a screen for making a setting to be used in three stepsincluding printing, color measurement, and color validation.

In a colorimetric setting list 505, created colorimetric settings aredisplayed. In the present exemplary embodiment, a color reference to beused in color validation, a color validation target image formingapparatus, a chart print condition, and an identifier are displayed inthe colorimetric setting list 505. A colorimetric setting add button 500is a button for adding a new colorimetric setting to the colorimetricsetting list 505. If the colorimetric setting add button 500 is pressed,a colorimetric setting edit area 506 is displayed, and the user canenter information. For example, the user can designate items for eachcolorimetric setting. Specifically, the colorimetric setting edit area506 includes a color reference selection portion 507, an image formingapparatus selection portion 508, a sheet type selection portion 510, asheet grammage selection portion 511, a resolution selection portion512, an M factor selection portion 513, an observation light sourceselection portion 514, a view angle selection portion 515, and a colormeasurement mode selection portion 516.

A colorimetric setting edit button 501 is a button for editing onecolorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list 505. Ifthe colorimetric setting edit button 501 is pressed, the colorimetricsetting edit area 506 is displayed, and the user can enter information.

A colorimetric setting deletion button 502 is a button for deleting acolorimetric setting selected in the colorimetric setting list 505. Ifthe colorimetric setting deletion button 502 is pressed, the web browser300 transmits a deletion request of a colorimetric setting to the webserver 310, and the web server 310 delivers the deletion request to thecolor validation management unit 311. Then, the color validationmanagement unit 311 deletes the designated colorimetric setting from thecolorimetric setting storage unit 312.

A print data download button 503 is a button for downloading print dataof a chart to a designated local folder. For example, in a case wherecolor validation of an image forming apparatus not supported by thecolor validation system is desired to be performed, the color validationsystem cannot perform printing using the image forming apparatus in somecases. Thus, by once downloading print data of a chart to a localfolder, the print data can be printed using a printer driver.

A print button 504 is a button for directly printing a chart using theimage forming apparatus 106 from the web system 101. For example, if theprint button 504 is pressed, the web browser 300 transmits the printinginstruction 1900 (illustrated in FIG. 19A) of the colorimetric setting800 to the web server 310, and the web server 310 delivers the printinginstruction 1900 to the color validation management unit 311. If the webserver 310 delivers the printing instruction 1900 to the colorvalidation management unit 311, the color validation management unit 311acquires the colorimetric setting 800 based on an identifier 807(000001) designated in the printing instruction 1900, from thecolorimetric setting storage unit 312. The color validation managementunit 311 delivers the acquired colorimetric setting 800 to the print jobgeneration unit 313. The print job generation unit 313 generates a printjob including the print setting 1000 of charts and the print data of thecharts 900 and 905 that satisfies the colorimetric setting 800. Then,the print job generation unit 313 returns the generated print job to thecolor validation management unit 311. After that, the color validationmanagement unit 311 transmits the print job and an IP address of theimage forming apparatus 106 to the on-premise application 301 via theweb server 310. The on-premise application 301 transmits the print jobto the image forming apparatus 106.

A colorimetric setting save button 517 is a button for storing acolorimetric setting edited in the colorimetric setting edit area 506.If the colorimetric setting save button 517 is pressed, the colorvalidation management unit 311 allocates an identifier (e.g., 000001) toa colorimetric setting, and stores the colorimetric setting into thecolorimetric setting storage unit 312 in a JavaScript Object Notation(JSON) format (e.g., the colorimetric setting 800 in FIG. 8 ) generallyused in a web system.

The color reference selection portion 507 is a selection portion forselecting a standard printing color reference or a user-defined printingcolor reference. The standard printing color reference refers to astandard defined by an international standardization organization suchas the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Forexample, a color reference such as GRACOL of the United States, FOGRA ofEurope, or Japan Color of Japan exists for each region. In addition, auser-defined printing color reference refers to a color referenceuniquely defined by a printing firm. For example, a user-definedprinting color reference is used in a case where a printing firm desiresto perform an operation of colors more strictly than a standard printingcolor reference. A user-defined printing color reference may be createdby a tool provided by the web system 101, or may be created by anothertool and imported into the web system 101. An imported user-definedprinting color reference is displayed in the color reference selectionportion 507. The detailed description of the creation of a user-definedprinting color reference will be omitted.

Conventionally, the quality of printed materials has been determinedbased on the appearance, and printed materials have been created in theabsence of clear standards. For this reason, a printing firm has oftenresponded to requests for color reproduction from an orderer or adesigner, by performing revision and reprinting a number of times. Byproviding a standard color reference for the creation of printedmaterials, such a situation can be improved.

A color reference selected in the color reference selection portion 507is used in printing and generation of print data of a chart. Forexample, the number of patches is defined as ISO12642-2 (1617-colorpatches) in the case of Japan Color 2011, and print data of a chart isgenerated in such a manner as to satisfy the number of patches. Theprinted chart is subjected to color measurement using the colormeasurement device 107, and a color measurement result is generated.Then, a color reference selected in the color reference selectionportion 507 is used at the time of color validation as a comparisontarget to be compared with the color measurement result. As a result ofthe comparison, a determination result indicating that the colormeasurement result is “pass” or “failed” with respect to the colorreference can be obtained.

The image forming apparatus selection portion 508 is a selection portionfor selecting an image forming apparatus to be used for outputting printdata of the chart. By obtaining a color measurement result by performingcolor measurement of a chart output from an image forming apparatusselected in the image forming apparatus selection portion 508, a currentcolor status of the image forming apparatus can be recognized. At thetime of color validation, a color measurement result of a chart outputfrom the image forming apparatus and a color reference selected in thecolor reference selection portion 507 are compared. A color state of theimage forming apparatus selected in the image forming apparatusselection portion 508 can be thereby validated with respect to the colorreference.

The sheet type selection portion 510 is a selection portion forselecting a sheet type to be used when print data of the chart isprinted. At the time of printing, the chart is printed on an imageforming apparatus using the designated sheet type. At the time of colormeasurement, a sheet type serves as one of print conditions affecting acolor measurement result. For example, because hue (LAB value) of achart varies depending on whether a sheet type is coated paper oruncoated paper, a system needs to store a print condition under whichthe chart has been printed. Then, when a color validation result isdisplayed, the user is notified that a color validation result is passor failed in a case where a chart printed under a designated printcondition as illustrated in a Test Condition in a color validationresult list 700 in FIG. 7A is subjected to color measurement. With thisconfiguration, when printing is performed using an image formingapparatus that has passed color validation, if a print condition similarto the print condition used in the color validation is used, the usercan obtain a printed material complying with a color reference.

The sheet grammage selection portion 511 is a selection portion forselecting a grammage of a sheet to be used when print data of the chartis printed using an image forming apparatus. Because hue of a printedchart varies between a case where a sheet grammage is large and a casewhere a sheet grammage is small, a sheet grammage also serves as one ofprint conditions. Because the print conditions are similar to those ofthe sheet type, the description will be omitted.

The resolution selection portion 512 is a selection portion forselecting resolution to be used when print data of the chart is printedusing an image forming apparatus. Because an image printed atinsufficient resolution gives the impression that the image is roughlyblurred, resolution designated when the chart is printed also serves asone of print conditions similarly to the sheet type and the sheetgrammage. Because the print conditions are similar to those of the sheettype, the description will be omitted.

The M factor selection portion 513 is a selection portion for selectingthe intensity of ultraviolet in the color measurement device 107. The“M” of an M factor indicates a standard for illumination in ameasurement device that is formulated by the ISO13655 2009. In recentyears, more and more sheets containing fluorescent brightener tend to beused. On such sheets, color hue varies depending on the intensity ofultraviolet components of a light source that illuminates a sample.Thus, the ISO has defined the intensity of ultraviolet in a measurementdevice as follows.

M0: an illumination having a spectral distribution of a tungsten lamp

M1: an illumination having UV power of D50

M2: an illumination that emits light from which ultraviolet (UV) regionenergy is cut by a UV filter

M3: an illumination that emits light from which UV region energy is cutby a polarization filter

An M factor selected in the M factor selection portion 513 is not usedin printing. On the other hand, by conveying an M factor to the colormeasurement device 107 at the time of color measurement, the intensityof ultraviolet in the color measurement device 107 is controlled. At thetime of color validation, an M factor used in the color measurement fromwhich a color measurement result has been obtained can also be conveyedusing a color validation result (not illustrated).

The observation light source selection portion 514 is a selectionportion for selecting an observation light source to be used in colormeasurement. An observation light source is conveyed to the colormeasurement device 107 at the time of color measurement, and is to beused for controlling the color measurement device 107, and is not usedin printing. An observation light source used in the color measurementcan also be conveyed using a color validation result (not illustrated).

An observation light source is also referred to as an illuminant. Theilluminant is a mathematical representation of a virtual light source,and is to be used for the calculation of tristimulus values fromspectrometry in the color measurement device 107. In the colorvalidation in the commercial printing field, D50 is generally used.

The view angle selection portion 515 is a selection portion forselecting a view angle to be used in color measurement. The view angleis conveyed to the color measurement device 107 at the time of colormeasurement, and is to be used for controlling a sensor of the colormeasurement device 107, and is not used in printing. A view angle usedin the color measurement can also be conveyed using a color validationresult (not illustrated). Generally, in a case where a color is to beevaluated using a field of view at 4° or less, a field of view at 2° isused, and in a case where a color is to be evaluated using a field ofview at 4° or more, a field of view at 10° is used. Because a uniformcolor region is relatively small in the case of the commercial printingfield, the field of view at 2° is generally used. On the other hand, ina case where a uniform color is used in a large region such as a bodycolor of a vehicle (automotive paint), the field of view at 10° is used.

The color measurement mode selection portion 516 is a selection portionfor selecting a color measurement mode to be used in color measurement,between single scan for performing color measurement of a printed chartonly once using the color measurement device 107 and dual scan forperforming color measurement twice.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D each illustrate an example of a colormeasurement execution screen of the web page 302 to be displayed on theweb browser 300.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a colorimetric setting selectionscreen. A color measurement step display region 600 visually displays acurrently ongoing work among four steps of color measurement works.Because FIG. 6A illustrates a screen for a selection work of acolorimetric setting, step 1 is displayed in a highlighted manner.

An identifier entry box 601 is a box for entering an identifier of acolorimetric setting. If an identifier of a colorimetric setting isentered by the user and an OK button 604 is pressed, a colorimetricsetting matching the identifier can be brought into a selectable statein a colorimetric setting list 602.

A color measurement start button 603 is a button for starting a colormeasurement work with a colorimetric setting selected in thecolorimetric setting list 602. If the color measurement start button 603is pressed, the web browser 300 transmits a color measurement startinstruction for the selected colorimetric setting to the web server 310,and the web server 310 delivers the color measurement start instructionto the color validation management unit 311. The color validationmanagement unit 311 acquires a colorimetric setting from thecolorimetric setting storage unit 312 based on an identifier designatedin a printing instruction. Based on a colorimetric setting, the colorvalidation management unit 311 creates a chart color measurement requestto be described below with reference to FIG. 12 , and delivers the chartcolor measurement request to the web server 310. When the web server 310transmits a color measurement device preparation screen illustrated inFIG. 6B, to the web browser 300, the web server 310 also transmits thechart color measurement request together.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example of a color measurement device preparationscreen (color measurement device selection screen).

A color measurement device preparation operation preview 613 has a roleof conveying an image of a preparation operation of the colormeasurement device 107 in an easy-to-understand manner. In the presentexemplary embodiment, a stationary image is displayed.

A color measurement device selection portion 605 is a selection portionfor prompting a user to select one color measurement device from among alist of color measurement devices connected to the informationprocessing apparatus 104.

Color measurement device preparation operation information 606 displaysa preparation operation for a color measurement device selected in thecolor measurement device selection portion 605. In a case where apreparation operation varies depending on the color measurement device,a text displayed in the color measurement device preparation operationinformation 606 is changed.

A color measurement cancel button 607 is a button for cancelling acurrently ongoing color measurement work. If the color measurementcancel button 607 is pressed, the color measurement work is cancelled,and the color measurement device selection screen returns to thecolorimetric setting selection screen illustrated in FIG. 6A. A previousbutton 608 is a button for returning the screen to a previous screendisplayed immediately before the currently-displayed screen. A nextbutton 609 is a button for shifting the screen to a subsequent screen tobe displayed immediately after the currently-displayed screen.

FIG. 6C illustrates an example of a chart color measurement screen. Acolor measurement completion button 610 is a button for completing acolor measurement work. As illustrated in FIG. 6D, this button isenabled when color measurement of all patches of a chart ends. If thecolor measurement completion button 610 is pressed after the colormeasurement completion button 610 is enabled, color measurement of thechart is completed. Then, the web component 303 instructs the colormeasurement control unit 304 to transmit a color measurement result.

A chart preview 611 displays a preview of a chart that is based on thecolorimetric setting selected on the screen illustrated in FIG. 6A. Inthe chart preview 611, patches 612 on which color measurement is to beperformed by the user are displayed in a highlighted manner. The chartpreview 611 in FIG. 6C is an example in which a preview of a chart isdisplayed based on a patch layout 803 in the colorimetric setting 800.The patch layout 803 in the colorimetric setting 800 includes two pages(pages 804 and 805), and each page includes 4×3 patches. Thus, a previewof a chart including 4×3 patches is displayed in the chart preview 611.

FIGS. 7A and 7B each illustrate an example of a color validation resultdisplay screen to be displayed after completion of color measurement.

FIG. 7A illustrates an example of a color validation result list screen.The color validation result list 700 is a list for displaying results ofexecuted color validation. A color validation result (Pass or Failed) isdisplayed on a Result column. A color validation result display button701 is a button for displaying a color validation report to be describedbelow with reference to FIG. 7B.

A color validation result download button 702 is a button fordownloading a color validation report onto a local folder. A colorvalidation result deletion button 703 is a button for deleting a colorvalidation result selected in the color validation result list 700.

FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a color validation report describingthe details of a color validation result.

A region 704 is a region displaying an image forming apparatus used incolor validation and date on which the color validation has beenexecuted. A region 705 is a region in which information regarding acolor reference designated by the user in a colorimetric setting and avalue of a color measurement result are compared, and specific LABvalues are displayed. A region 706 displays a pass or failuredetermination result of a color validation result.

A region 707 displays a pass or failure determination result for eachcheck item of color validation. A region 708 graphically displays acolor difference between a color reference selected by the user and acolor measurement result obtained by performing color measurement of achart.

The configuration of the color validation system according to thepresent exemplary embodiment has been described above. With thisconfiguration, three steps (printing of a chart, color measurement ofthe chart, and color validation) of a color validation process areimplemented.

Hereinafter, printing of a chart will be described using a specificexample.

The colorimetric setting 800 illustrated in FIG. 8 illustrates anexample of a colorimetric setting. The colorimetric setting 800 isgenerated by the color validation management unit 311 based on valuesentered by the user on the setting screen in FIG. 5 , and is stored inthe colorimetric setting storage unit 312. The identifier 807 (000001)in the colorimetric setting 800 is automatically set if the save button517 is pressed by the user on the setting screen in FIG. 5 .

A color reference 801 is a color reference designated by the user in thecolor reference selection portion 507 in FIG. 5 .

A patch size 802 indicates a dimension in which patches in a chart areto be printed in the color reference 801 designated by the user.

The patch layout 803 is defined in the color reference 801 designated bythe user, and determines the layout of patches in the chart. The patchlayout 803 in the present exemplary embodiment is an array, and includesbrackets for each page, each row, and each column. One column indicatesone patch, and cyan, magenta, yellow, black (CMYK) signal values aredescribed in one example.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the patch layout 803 includes twopages corresponding to the pages 804 and 805. The pages 804 and 805 eachinclude four rows longitudinally. Each row include three columns. Inother words, a chart includes two pages, and each page include 4×3patches. Using values in the patch layout 803, the color validationmanagement unit 311 generates the chart preview 611 illustrated in FIG.6C (chart including two pages each including 4 rows×3 columns ofpatches).

A color measurement mode 806 indicates a color measurement mode in thecolorimetric setting 800. For example, the color measurement mode 806includes an illumination condition, a color measurement direction, and ascan mode meaning the number of times color measurement of the patch isto be performed. There are two scan modes. One scan mode is “singlescan” for performing color measurement of the patch only once, andanother scan mode is “dual scan” for performing color measurement of thepatch twice. The color measurement mode 806 indicates a value selectedby the user in the color measurement mode selection portion 516 in FIG.5 .

FIG. 9A illustrates an example of print data of a chart according to thepresent exemplary embodiment.

Print data of a chart includes two pages. The pages 804 and 805 definedin the colorimetric setting 800 in FIG. 8 respectively correspond thecharts 900 and 905. The chart 900 is broadly divided into four blocks. Anumber of pages 901 indicates the number of pages of the print data ofthe chart 900. Because the print data includes two pages in the printdata example of the present exemplary embodiment, a number “2” isallocated.

An identifier 902 is an identifier automatically issued when the usercreates a colorimetric setting on the setting screen in FIG. 5 . Theidentifier 902 is provided to facilitate the association between aprinted chart and a colorimetric setting on a screen. When a chartprinting instruction is issued, an identifier of a colorimetric settingselected by the user is allocated to the print data as the identifier902.

A print condition 903 is a print condition entered by the user when theuser creates a colorimetric setting on the setting screen in FIG. 5 .When a chart printing instruction is issued, a print condition of acolorimetric setting selected by the user is allocated as the printcondition 903.

Chart information 904 is a chart itself on which the user conducts colormeasurement. The same chart is represented in the chart information 904and the chart preview 611 displayed on the web page 302.

When the chart information 904 and the number of pages 901 aredetermined, the following processing is performed. First, based on acolor reference selected by the user, a sheet size is determined fromthe print setting storage unit 315. Next, based on color informationdefined in a patch layout specification and a color reference readableby a color measurement device, the patch size 802 and the patch layout803 are determined in such a manner as to fit a sheet size. Based on thecolor information, the patch size 802, and the patch layout 803 definedin the color reference, the chart information 904 is created.Specifically, FIG. 20 illustrates a relationship between thecolorimetric setting 800 and the charts 900 and 905. First, based on 4×3rows and columns and CMYK signal value on the page 804 of thecolorimetric setting 800, the chart information 904 is generated. Next,information such as the identifier 902 (00001) of the colorimetricsetting 800, a test specification, and an image forming apparatus isadded to the print condition 903, and the chart 900 is generated. Bysimilar processing, the chart 905 is generated based on the page 805.

For the sake of explanatory convenience, the description in the presentexemplary embodiment will be given using an example of 4 rows×3 columnspatches illustrated in FIG. 9A. Actually, a patch size is smaller andthe number of patches is larger in many cases as illustrated in FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a print setting according to thepresent exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, thedescription will be given using a job definition format (JDF) standardin the printing industry.

A number of pages 1001 indicates the number of pages of print datadesignated in 1002. For example, because the number of pages of theprint data of the chart 900 in FIG. 9A is two, “2” is set in the numberof pages 1001.

Print parameters 1003, 1004, 1005 are generated based on values storedin the print setting storage unit 315 in Table 3 in association with acolor reference. Specifically, the print job generation unit 313acquires information regarding the color reference 801, from thecolorimetric setting 800 delivered from the color validation managementunit 311. Based on the color reference 801, the print job generationunit 313 identifies a test specification from a “Test Specification”column in the print setting storage unit 315. For example, in the caseof a test specification of the colorimetric setting 800, a column of“FOGRA xxxx-yyyy” is identified in the print setting storage unit 315.Then, the print job generation unit 313 acquires print parameters fromthe identified test specification column. For example, the printparameter 1003 is “Rotate0” on an Orientation column in the printsetting storage unit 315, and the print parameter 1004 is “AutoSelect”on an OutputBin column in the print setting storage unit 315. In thismanner, parameters in the JDF are generated based on print parameters inthe print setting storage unit 315.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are flowcharts each illustrating a flow ofprocessing of chart printing. The following processing is executed bythe CPU 201 of the information processing apparatus 104.

FIG. 11A is a main flowchart of chart printing.

In step S1100, the color validation management unit 311 receives acolorimetric setting entered by the user, from the web component 303(setting screen in FIG. 5 ), and generates the colorimetric setting 800.In step S1101, the color validation management unit 311 stores thecolorimetric setting 800 into the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.In step S1102, the color validation management unit 311 determineswhether the printing instruction 1900 has been received from the webcomponent 303. In a case where the printing instruction 1900 has beenreceived (YES in step S1102), the color validation management unit 311advances the processing to step S1103. In a case where the printinginstruction 1900 has not been received (NO in step S1102), the colorvalidation management unit 311 ends the processing.

In step S1103, the color validation management unit 311 acquires thecolorimetric setting 800 stored in the colorimetric setting storage unit312 based on an identifier (000001) included in the printing instruction1900. Then, the color validation management unit 311 delivers thecolorimetric setting 800 to the print job generation unit 313, and handsover print data generation processing and print setting generationprocessing.

In step S1104, the print job generation unit 313 performs processing tobe described below with reference to FIG. 11B, generates print data (thecharts 900 and 905 in FIG. 9A), and returns the print data to the colorvalidation management unit 311.

In step S1105, the print job generation unit 313 performs processing tobe described below with reference to FIG. 11C, generates the printsetting 1000, and returns the print setting 1000 to the color validationmanagement unit 311.

In step S1106, the color validation management unit 311 transmits aprint job including print data and the print setting 1000, to theprinting communication unit 307 of the on-premise application 301 viathe web server 310. Then, the color validation management unit 311starts printing using the image forming apparatus 106 (“AAA printer” inFIG. 8 ) having an IP address designated in the colorimetric setting800. The printing communication unit 307 delivers the print job to theprinting control unit 308, and the printing control unit 308 transmitsthe print job to the image forming apparatus 106 having the designatedIP address.

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating a flow of generating print data.

In step S1107, the print job generation unit 313 acquires informationregarding the patch layout 803, from the colorimetric setting 800delivered from the color validation management unit 311.

In step S1108, the print job generation unit 313 generates chartinformation (chart information 904 in FIG. 9 ) based on the patch layout803. Specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, the patch layout803 includes two pages corresponding to the pages 804 and 805. The pages804 and 805 each include four rows longitudinally. Each row includethree columns. In other words, a chart includes two pages, and each pageinclude 4×3 patches. Using values in the patch layout 803, the print jobgeneration unit 313 generates the chart information 904 regarding achart including two pages each including 4 rows×3 columns of patches.

In step S1109, the print job generation unit 313 determines the numberof pages based on the print data acquired in step S1108.

In step S1110, the print job generation unit 313 generates print databased on information determined in steps S1108 to S1109. Specifically,the print job generation unit 313 generates print data by allocating anidentifier (the identifier 902 in FIG. 9 ) and a print condition (printcondition 903 in FIG. 9 ) to print data based on the colorimetricsetting, and allocating the number of pages (the number of pages 901 inFIG. 9 ) and chart information (chart information 904 in FIG. 9 ) toprint data.

FIG. 11C is a flowchart illustrating a flow of generating a printsetting.

In step S1111, the print job generation unit 313 acquires the colorreference 801 (FOGRA xxxx-yyyy) from the colorimetric setting 800.

In step S1112, the print job generation unit 313 searches the printsetting storage unit 315 for the color reference 801 and acquiresrelated print parameters. Specifically, the print job generation unit313 identifies a test specification from the “Test Specification” columnin the print setting storage unit 315 based on the color reference 801(FOGRA xxxx-yyyy). For example, in the case of a test specification ofthe colorimetric setting 800, a column of “FOGRA xxxx-yyyy” isidentified in the print setting storage unit 315. Then, the print jobgeneration unit 313 acquires print parameters from the identified testspecification column.

In step S1113, the print job generation unit 313 generates the printsetting 1000 as described with reference to FIG. 10 , based on the printparameters. For example, the print parameter 1003 is “Rotate0” on theOrientation column in the print setting storage unit 315, and theparameter 1004 is “AutoSelect” on the OutputBin column in the printsetting storage unit 315. In this manner, parameters in the JDF aregenerated based on print parameters in the print setting storage unit315.

An example of chart printing according to the present exemplaryembodiment has been described above. As described using a specificexample, in the chart printing according to the present exemplaryembodiment, the user performs a colorimetric setting on the web browser300 instead of a print setting. Then, a color validation systemautomatically generates print data and a print setting based on thecolorimetric setting. The colorimetric setting is also used in chartpreview display as illustrated in FIGS. 6C and 6D, and is also used incolor validation as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Hereinafter, color measurement processing of a printed chart will bedescribed using a specific example.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a chart color measurement request.When a color measurement start instruction is received from the webbrowser 300 by the color measurement start button 603 being pressed, achart color measurement request 1200 is generated based on thecolorimetric setting 800. The chart color measurement request 1200 istransmitted by the web server 310 together with the web page 302 of thecolor measurement device preparation screen illustrated in FIG. 6B. Inthe present exemplary embodiment, a JSON format generally used in a websystem is used as a data format of the chart color measurement request.

Because the chart color measurement request 1200 is generated based onthe colorimetric setting 800, colorimetric settings 801 to 807 are thesame as those in the colorimetric setting 800. On the other hand, in thechart color measurement request 1200, authentication information 1201 isadded to the colorimetric setting 800. The authentication information1201 is generated when the user logs into a color validation system. Inflowcharts to be described below, the colorimetric settings (801 to 807)included in the chart color measurement request 1200 are used inprocessing such as determination of color measurement completion that isperformed by the color measurement control unit 304. The authenticationinformation 1201 is also used in user authentication executed when thecolor measurement control unit 304 uploads a color measurement result1400 onto the web server 310.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C illustrate an example of a patch colormeasurement request and a patch color measurement result that arecommunicated between the web component 303 and the color measurementcontrol unit 304.

A patch color measurement request 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13A includesan identifier of a colorimetric setting and a patch row number of acolor measurement target. In the present exemplary embodiment, anexample in which color validation is performed with respect to thecolorimetric setting 800 will be described. Thus, an identifier of thepatch color measurement request 1300 includes the same value (000001) asthe identifier 807 of the colorimetric setting 800. A patch row numberof a color measurement target indicates a row selected by the user inthe chart preview 611 displayed on the chart color measurement screen inFIG. 6C.

Patch color measurement results 1301 and 1302 in FIGS. 13B and 13Cinclude an identifier of a colorimetric setting, a color measurementresult, values obtained by color measurement, and an error code of anerror that has occurred in the color measurement device 107. The colormeasurement result means a color measurement processing result in thecolor measurement device 107. The patch color measurement result 1301 inFIG. 13B indicates a color measurement result of the first rowdesignated in the patch color measurement request 1300.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a color measurement result generatedwhen chart color measurement has been fully completed. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the color measurement result 1400 is representedin a CGAT format, which is an international standard, and includesmetadata for identifying colorimetric values in the color measurementdevice 107 and the color measurement result 1400 using programs.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color measurementprocessing according to the present exemplary embodiment. The followingprocessing is executed by the CPU 201 of the information processingapparatuses 102 and 104.

In step S1500, the color validation management unit 311 receives a colormeasurement start instruction issued by the user (press of the colormeasurement start button 603), from the web component 303.

In step S1501, the color validation management unit 311 determineswhether a color measurement start instruction (color measurementinstruction) has been received from the web component 303. In a casewhere a color measurement start instruction has been received (YES instep S1501), the processing proceeds to step S1502. In a case where acolor measurement start instruction has not been received (NO in stepS1501), the color validation management unit 311 waits for the receptionof a color measurement start instruction without performing processing.

In step S1502, the color validation management unit 311 acquires thecolorimetric setting 800 based on the identifier (000001) designated inthe color measurement start instruction, from the colorimetric settingstorage unit 312, and generates the chart color measurement request1200. Then, the color validation management unit 311 delivers the chartcolor measurement request 1200 to the web server 310 together with theweb page 302 of the color measurement device preparation screen in FIG.6B.

In step S1503, the web server 310 transmits the web page 302 to the webbrowser 300, and the web browser 300 displays the web page 302.Furthermore, the web server 310 transmits the chart color measurementrequest 1200 in FIG. 12 to the web browser 300 together with the webpage 302. In this example, only host content as illustrated in FIG. 4Ais displayed. Specifically, the color measurement device preparationscreen in FIG. 6B is displayed. Because the color measurement devicepreparation screen does not dynamically change in accordance with anoperation of the color measurement device 107, only host content isdisplayed.

The web page 302 transmitted from the web server 310 also includes theweb component 303. The web component 303 establishes connection with thecolor measurement control unit 304 at a timing at which the web page 302is displayed on the web browser 300, and a state in which mutualcommunication is always enabled is caused. When the connection isestablished, the web component 303 delivers the chart color measurementrequest 1200 to the color measurement control unit 304.

In step S1504, the web component 303 acquires a list of colormeasurement devices managed by the color measurement control unit 304.The list of color measurement devices is displayed in the colormeasurement device selection portion 605 on the color measurement devicepreparation screen in FIG. 6B.

In step S1505, the web component 303 receives the selection of a colormeasurement device from the user.

In step S1506, the web component 303 determines whether the next button609 has been pressed on the web page 302. In a case where the nextbutton 609 has been pressed (YES in step S1506), the processing proceedsto step S1507.

In step S1507, the web component 303 communicates with the web server310 and transmits a web page request for a chart color measurementscreen to the web server 310. The web server 310 that has received therequest transmits a web page generation request to the color validationmanagement unit 311. The color validation management unit 311 generatesa web page (chart color measurement screen in FIG. 6C) including hostcontent displaying information for a color measurement work of a printedchart, and guest content displaying the chart preview 611. In generatingthe chart preview 611, the color validation management unit 311 uses thenumber of patch rows, the number of patches, and color signal valuesthat are defined in the patch layout 803 of the colorimetric setting800.

The web server 310 transmits the web page generated by the colorvalidation management unit 311 to the web browser 300. Similarly to stepS1503, the web page 302 includes the web component 303.

In step S1508, the web browser 300 displays the web page 302 received instep S1507. A portion on the chart color measurement screen thatcorresponds to the chart preview 611 is treated as guest content. Then,based on a message from the color measurement control unit 304, the webcomponent 303 updates display of the chart preview 611 and controls auser operation on the chart preview 611.

In step S1509, the web component 303 receives a patch selection made bythe user on the chart preview 611. A patch selected by the user becomesa color measurement target patch. For example, by selecting patches on arow in which “2:1” is described in FIG. 6C, the patches 612 are selectedas a color measurement target.

In step S1510, the web component 303 transmits a patch color measurementrequest corresponding to the selected patch to the color measurementcontrol unit 304. For example, the patch color measurement request 1300in FIG. 13 is transmitted.

In step S1511, patch color measurement is performed by the user usingthe color measurement device 107, and the color measurement control unit304 receives a colorimetric value from the color measurement device 107via the color measurement device cooperation unit 306.

Then, the color measurement control unit 304 creates a color measurementresult of the patch (e.g., the patch color measurement result 1301 inFIG. 13B), and transmits the color measurement result to the webcomponent 303.

In step S1512, the web component 303 receives a patch color measurementresult from the color measurement control unit 304.

In step S1513, the web component 303 performs determination processingof a color measurement result. Specifically, in a case where a colormeasurement result (Result) in the patch color measurement result 1301is “true”, the web component 303 determines that patch color measurementhas succeeded (YES in step S1513), and the processing proceeds to stepS1514. In a case where the color measurement result is “false”, the webcomponent 303 determines that patch color measurement has failed (NO instep S1513), and the processing proceeds to step S1518.

In step S1514, the web component 303 displays a colorimetric value(lab-value) of a patch color measurement result in each cell of a patchselected on the chart preview 611 being guest content.

In step S1515, the web component 303 determines whether colormeasurement of all patches has been completed, based on the chartpreview 611. In a case where the web component 303 determines that colormeasurement of all patches has been completed (YES in step S1515), theprocessing proceeds to step S1516. In a case where the web component 303determines that color measurement of all patches has not been completed(NO in step S1515), the processing returns to step S1509, and theselection of a next patch is received.

If color measurement of all patches corresponding to the number of patchrows described in the chart color measurement request 1200 has beencompleted, the color measurement control unit 304 generates the colormeasurement result 1400 in FIG. 14 , and stores the color measurementresult 1400 into the color measurement result storage unit 309.

In step S1516, the web component 303 determines whether a colormeasurement completion button has been pressed by the user. In a casewhere a color measurement completion button has been pressed (YES instep S1516), the web component 303 transmits the color measurementresult transmission instruction 1901 as illustrated in FIG. 19B, to thecolor measurement control unit 304.

In step S1517, the color measurement control unit 304 acquires the colormeasurement result 1400 stored in the color measurement result storageunit 309, based on an identifier (000001) included in the colormeasurement result transmission instruction 1901, and transmits thecolor measurement result 1400 to the web server 310 via the colormeasurement communication unit 305. In the present exemplary embodiment,the color measurement control unit 304 transmits the color measurementresult 1400 not via the web browser 300. When the color measurementcontrol unit 304 transmits the color measurement result 1400 to the webserver 310, the color measurement control unit 304 performsauthentication using the authentication information 1201 in the chartcolor measurement request 1200, and after authentication has succeeded,the color measurement control unit 304 transmits the color measurementresult 1400.

The web server 310 delivers the color measurement result 1400 to thecolor validation management unit 311. The color validation managementunit 311 stores the color measurement result 1400 into the colorimetricsetting storage unit 312 in association with the colorimetric setting800 having the same identifier (000001).

In step S1518, the web component 303 displays a warning message of apatch color measurement error on the chart preview 611.

In step S1519, the web component 303 displays a patch remeasurementinstruction on the chart preview 611.

An example of chart color measurement processing according to thepresent exemplary embodiment has been described above. As describedusing a specific example, in the chart color measurement according tothe present exemplary embodiment, the web page 302 displayed on the webbrowser 300 includes host content and guest content (chart preview 611).The guest content is included in the host content. The host content istransmitted from the web server 310, and a guest content portion is notstationary display, and the display of the guest content is dynamicallyupdated with data transmitted from the on-premise application 301.

Hereinafter, color validation processing according to the presentexemplary embodiment will be described using a specific example.

After color measurement of a chart has been completed, color validationprocessing is started at a timing at which a color measurement result isstored into the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color validationprocessing according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In step S1600, the color validation management unit 311 acquires, fromthe colorimetric setting storage unit 312, the colorimetric setting 800including the same identifier as the identifier (000001) included in thecolor measurement result 1400, and delivers the color measurement result1400 and the colorimetric setting 800 to the color validation processingunit 314.

In step S1601, the color validation processing unit 314 compares anexpected value (CMYK signal value) of each patch that is defined in thepatch layout 803 in the colorimetric setting 800, and a colorimetricvalue in the color measurement result 1400 obtained by performing colormeasurement of a printed chart using the color measurement device 107.

In step S1602, the color validation processing unit 314 performs pass orfailure determination of a comparison result. Specifically, if a colordifference falls within a threshold value, the color validationprocessing unit 314 determines that the comparison result has passed,and if a color difference falls outside the threshold value, the colorvalidation processing unit 314 determines that the comparison result hasfailed.

In step S1603, the color validation processing unit 314 delivers thedetermination result to the color validation management unit 311, andthe color validation management unit 311 stores the determination resultinto the colorimetric setting storage unit 312 in association with thecolorimetric setting 800.

In step S1604, the color validation management unit 311 creates a colorvalidation report based on the determination result, and stores thecolor validation report into the colorimetric setting storage unit 312.

In step S1605, the color validation management unit 311 determineswhether the color validation result display button 701 has been pressedby the user. In a case where the color validation management unit 311determines that the color validation result display button 701 has beenpressed (YES in step S1605), the processing proceeds to step S1606.

In step S1606, the color validation management unit 311 transmits thedesignated color validation report to the web browser 300 as a web pagevia the web server 310. The web browser 300 displays the colorvalidation report. This web page is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 7B.

As described above, by a program operating on a web browser and anon-premise application communicating, it becomes possible to control animage forming apparatus and a color measurement device by an operationof the web browser only.

Specifically, when a chart is printed in a color validation process, aweb server directly transmits a print job of the chart to an on-premiseapplication, and the on-premise application transfers the print job toan image forming apparatus. When color measurement of a chart isperformed, a web browser acquires host content from the web server, anda program executed on the web browser updates the display of guestcontent by controlling a color measurement device via the on-premiseapplication.

With this configuration, it is possible to provide the user with a colorvalidation system operable by a web browser only, and enhance theconvenience of the user on the web browser.

A second exemplary embodiment will be described. In the first exemplaryembodiment, the description has been given of processing of receiving apatch color measurement result from an on-premise application byperforming simple color measurement result determination processing instep S1513 at the time of chart color measurement. Nevertheless, forexample, even if the web component 303 recognizes a row number of apatch selected by the user, the following problem might occur. Morespecifically, because a colorimetric value transmitted from the colormeasurement device 107 is a signal value obtained by scanning a patch ona printed chart, it is uncertain that the user has performed colormeasurement of a correct patch using the color measurement device 107,and a wrong patch colorimetric value might be displayed on the chartpreview 611.

In view of the foregoing, when the preview of a chart to be displayed onguest content of the web page 302 is updated, it is desired thatmeasurement result determination processing is performed on a selectedcolor measurement target patch in more detail and a patch colormeasurement result is displayed at a correct position. In the secondexemplary embodiment, characteristic processing to be performed when apatch color measurement result is displayed on chart preview of a webpage will be described.

The description of items already described in the first exemplaryembodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of color measurementprocessing according to the second exemplary embodiment.

In step S1512, the web component 303 receives a patch color measurementresult from the color measurement control unit 304. As described withreference to FIG. 13B, the patch color measurement result includes acolorimetric value of a patch scanned using the color measurement device107. Utilizing the colorimetric value of the patch, the followingprocessing is performed.

In step S1700, the web component 303 acquires a colorimetric value inthe patch color measurement result 1301, and determines whether thenumber of patches agrees with an expected value. Specifically, the webcomponent 303 counts the number of patches included in a colorimetricvalue in the patch color measurement result 1301. Then, based on a rownumber in a patch color measurement request transmitted in step S1510,the web component 303 identifies the number of patches (expected value)described in a patch layout of the chart color measurement request 1200in FIG. 12 , and compares the number of patches with the number ofpatches in the colorimetric value obtained this time.

In a case where the numbers of patches agree with each other as a resultof comparison, the web component 303 determines that a correct number ofpatches have been scanned (YES in step S1700), and the processingproceeds to step S1701. In a case where the numbers of patches do notagree with each other, the web component 303 determines that a wrongpatch has been scanned (NO in step S1700), and the processing proceedsto step S1518.

In step S1701, the web component 303 checks a colorimetric value in thepatch color measurement result 1301, and determines whether thecolorimetric value agrees with an expected value of a patch selected bythe user. Specifically, based on a row number in the patch colormeasurement request transmitted in step S1510, the web component 303identifies an expected value of a patch described as an expected valueof the entire chart in the chart color measurement request 1200 in FIG.12 , and compares the expected value with a colorimetric value obtainedthis time.

In a case where the colorimetric value of the patch agrees with theexpected value as a result of comparison (YES in step S1701), the webcomponent 303 advances the processing to step S1514. In a case where thecolorimetric value of the patch does not agree with the expected value(NO in step S1701), the web component 303 advances the processing tostep S1702.

In step S1702, the web component 303 displays a warning messageindicating that a colorimetric value does not agree with an expectedvalue, on the chart preview 611, which is guest content. In this step, awarning message is displayed, not an error message. A patchremeasurement instruction is not immediately displayed (S1519). This isbecause it is not necessarily appropriate to suggest that colormeasurement of a wrong patch has been performed, since an illuminationenvironment in color measurement might have been bad, or a printed chartmight have been stained. On the other hand, in a case where it isdetermined in step S1700 that the numbers of patches do not agree witheach other, it can be surely determined that color measurement of awrong patch has been performed.

Because the chart color measurement request 1200 and the patch colormeasurement request 1300 are delivered from the web component 303 to thecolor measurement control unit 304, the above-described processing canalso be executed by the color measurement control unit 304. Even whenthe processing is performed by the color measurement control unit 304,the characteristics of the present disclosure do not change. In a casewhere the above-described processing is performed by the colormeasurement control unit 304, the web component 303 is used to makedetermination by viewing only a value described in the Result in thepatch color measurement result.

As described above, by executing the processing in steps S1700, S1701,and S1702, it can be guaranteed that color measurement of a patchselected by the user has been surely performed.

In other words, based on a row number of a selected patch, success orfailure of a color measurement operation of a patch selected by the useris determined through a two-step process using the number of patches andan expected value. With this configuration, the web component 303 candisplay a patch color measurement result of a color measurement targetpatch at a correct position.

In the first exemplary embodiment, an example of the single scan forperforming patch color measurement only once has been described.

In a third exemplary embodiment, an example of dual scan for performinga patch color measurement operation twice will be described. In a casewhere dual scan is performed, by the color measurement control unit 304simply transmitting a colorimetric value obtained from the colormeasurement device 107, to the web component 303, the web component 303updates the chart preview 611 many times. Then, only a patch colormeasurement result transmitted last is displayed.

In view of the foregoing, in the third first exemplary embodiment,characteristic processing to be performed in dual scan will bedescribed. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating color measurementprocessing according to the third exemplary embodiment.

In step S1800, the color measurement control unit 304 checks a scan modeof the chart color measurement request 1200. In a case where a scan modeis dual scan (YES in step S1800), the color measurement control unit 304advances the processing to step S1801.

In step S1801, the color measurement control unit 304 receives acolorimetric value from the color measurement device 107. Even if thecolor measurement control unit 304 receives a colorimetric value, thecolor measurement control unit 304 does not immediately transmit thecolorimetric value to the web component 303, and receives colorimetricvalues corresponding to two times, from the color measurement device107. Then, based on the colorimetric values corresponding to two times,the color measurement control unit 304 creates a value resultant frompseudo spectrometry with an M1 factor (illumination with UV power ofD50). In the present exemplary embodiment, data corresponding to a lightsource with an M1 factor is created, but a light source may be createdunder another condition such as an M0 factor, for example, depending onthe intended purpose of the system. Furthermore, a condition such as M1and M0 may be made changeable by a setting.

As described above, a patch color measurement operation is performedtwice in dual scan, but instead of transmitting scan data correspondingto two times, data corresponding to a light source with an M1 factor iscreated from two pieces of scan data and then the data is transmitted.With this configuration, the web component 303 can display a patch colormeasurement result once instead of displaying a patch color measurementresult on the chart preview 611 twice.

According to the exemplary embodiment described above, at the time ofchart color measurement, a web browser acquires host content from a webserver. A program executed on the web browser updates the display ofguest content by controlling a color measurement device via anon-premise application. On the other hand, at the time of chartprinting, print data is not transmitted to an image forming apparatusvia the web browser. With this configuration, in a color validationsystem that uses a web browser, the convenience of the user can beenhanced.

According to the exemplary embodiments described above, the convenienceof the user can be enhanced in a series of operations related to colorvalidation.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors, circuitry, or combinationsthereof (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit(MPU), or the like) and may include a network of separate computers orseparate processors to read out and execute the computer executableinstructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided tothe computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. Thestorage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, arandom-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage ofdistributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc(CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray Disc (BD), or other opticaldisk), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2021-161000, filed Sep. 30, 2021, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for performing color validation bycomparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference,the system comprising: a first information processing apparatus, whereinthe first information processing apparatus includes a colorimetricsetting for performing color validation by comparing a color measurementresult of a chart and a color reference, a transmission unit configuredto transmit screen information of a screen for receiving a chartprinting instruction, a receiving unit configured to receive thecolorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction, and ageneration unit configured to generate print data of a chart based onthe colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction.
 2. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit further receivesa color measurement result of a chart.
 3. The system according to claim2, further comprising a color validation unit configured to performcolor validation based on the received color measurement result of thechart.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unitfurther transmit a color measurement instruction generated based on thecolorimetric setting.
 5. The system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a second information processing apparatus, wherein the secondinformation processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured toreceive, from the first information processing apparatus, a colorimetricsetting for performing color validation by comparing a color measurementresult of a chart and a color reference, and screen information of ascreen for receiving a chart printing instruction, and a display unitconfigured to display a screen for receiving a colorimetric setting anda chart printing instruction, based on the screen information.
 6. Aninformation processing apparatus for performing color validation bycomparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference,the information processing apparatus comprising: a colorimetric settingfor performing color validation by comparing a color measurement resultof a chart and a color reference; a transmission unit configured totransmit screen information of a screen for receiving a chart printinginstruction; a receiving unit configured to receive the colorimetricsetting and the chart printing instruction; and a generation unitconfigured to generate print data of a chart based on the colorimetricsetting and the chart printing instruction.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the receiving unitfurther receives a color measurement result of a chart.
 8. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 7, furthercomprising a color validation unit configured to perform colorvalidation based on the received color measurement result of the chart.9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, whereinthe transmission unit further transmits a color measurement instructiongenerated based on the colorimetric setting.
 10. An informationprocessing apparatus comprising: a colorimetric setting for performingcolor validation by comparing a color measurement result of a chart anda color reference; a receiving unit configured to receive, from anexternal apparatus, screen information of a screen for receiving a chartprinting instruction; a display unit configured to display a screen forreceiving a colorimetric setting and a chart printing instruction, basedon the screen information; and a transmission unit configured totransmit, to the external apparatus, the colorimetric setting and thechart printing instruction that have been received via the screen. 11.The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thereceiving unit further receives, from the external apparatus, a colormeasurement instruction generated based on the colorimetric setting. 12.A storage medium storing a program readable by a computer for causingthe computer to function as an information processing apparatus forperforming color validation by comparing a color measurement result of achart and a color reference, the information processing apparatuscomprising: a colorimetric setting for performing color validation bycomparing a color measurement result of a chart and a color reference; atransmission unit configured to transmit screen information of a screenfor receiving a chart printing instruction; a receiving unit configuredto receive the colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction;and a generation unit configured to generate print data of a chart basedon the colorimetric setting and the chart printing instruction.